Madhesis on board,Madhav set to form govt in Nepal

Veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday staked claim to form a new coalition government in Nepal...

Veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday staked claim to form a new coalition government in Nepal,which plunged into a political crisis two weeks ago after Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda resigned from the Prime Ministers post.

The CPN-UML submitted to Speaker Subhash Nembang a list of 350 members from 22 out of the 25 political parties represented in parliament who were willing to support the government led by Madhav Nepal. For simple majority,the CPN-UML required the support of 301 members in the 601-strong parliament.

Nembang will soon be calling the House in session to elect its leader.

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The development comes as a blow to Prachandas CPN-Maoist,which was trying to have Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) leader Upendra Yadav installed as the new PM with outside support. The move failed after the Forum split into two groups,with most of the members opting to go with Madhav Nepal. In fact,MJF leader Vijaya Gachchhadar was with Madhav Nepal when he handed over the support list to the speaker on Sunday.

The CPN-UML,the third largest party,has 108 seats and is supported by the Nepali Congress led by former PM Girija Prasad Koirala,which has 112 seats. The CPN-UML,which got support from several other parties,said it has also received verbal assurance of support from CPN-United,which has five MPs.

As the 56-year-old Madhav Nepal garnered support to become the next Prime Minister,Prachanda said the CPN-UML leader managed it with the help of foreign reactionary forces,an apparent reference to India whom he had accused of interfering in the countrys affairs.

Addressing a massive rally organised by the Maoists in Kathmandu,Prachanda blamed reactionary foreign forces and status quo forces inside the country for toppling the Maoist-led government over the controversial issue of the sacking of the army chief.

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Prachanda had resigned on May 5 protesting against President Ram Baran Yadavs move to stall his decision sacking army chief R Katawal.

The CPN-UML,which was part of the Maoist government,had withdrawn support to the former rebels after Gen Katawal was fired by Prachanda. President Yadav,however,subsequently reinstated the army chief,much to the displeasure of the Maoists.

Decks were cleared for Madhav Nepal to be the Prime Minister after the MJF,the party which held the key to power with 53 seats,decided to extend its support to the CPN-UML.

(With PTI inputs)